BREAKING: Sheffield Wednesday confirm appointment of Carlos Carvalhal

Carlos Carvalhal’s appointment as Sheffield Wednesday head coach is the start of a “successful new era” for the Owls, according to chairman Dejphon Chansiri.

The Portuguese was unveiled as Stuart Gray’s successor earlier this evening, after weeks of speculation surrounding his appointment.

And the 49-year-old, who counts Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas among his former clubs, will be joined at Hillsborough by fellow countrymen Joao Mario, Joao Cunha and Bruno Lage.

Carvalhal has spoken and met with with staff in the last couple of days and will meet the players for the first time at their Middlewood Road training ground today as Wednesday begin their pre-season preparations.

As part of the backroom reshuffle, ex-Owls captain Lee Bullen is likely to revert back to working solely with the club’s development squad.

And Chansiri said: “I firmly believe that this appointment will take our team and our club to the next level and towards where we all want to be, the Premier League.

“It is important for our supporters that they watch their team play attractive, aggressive and entertaining football.

“Carlos buys in completely to this philosophy and I am confident that his experience, knowledge and ability will herald the start of a successful new era for Sheffield Wednesday.”

The former centre-back has been out of management since 2012 but has acted as a technical director for UAE side Al Ahli for the past two seasons.

Mark Cooper.

It is understood Chansiri and his sporting committee, consisting of Glenn Roeder, Paul Senior and Jonathan Hill, are seeking to appoint a British coach to work alongside Carvalhal. In recent weeks, talks have taken place with Swindon Town boss Mark Cooper, whose deal at the County Ground is set to run out in 2016, and he is understood to remain part of the club’s plans.

“So I say to our fans – thank you so much for supporting us in everything we have tried to do for Sheffield Wednesday in the short time we have been here and also for the exciting times we will share in the future.

“Please give everything for Carlos and the team because your support is everything, as is your trust, and I am now only looking forward to the journey we will be sharing together.

“Everyone has been so incredibly welcoming and friendly to myself and my family, which makes me even more determined to deliver the success our supporters deserve.

“We need the spirit and full backing from them all because we are all on that same journey. I believe in our supporters 100 per cent, I trust in them, and all I ask is to have that same trust and confidence in return.

“As a club, we are getting stronger and stronger each day and the appointment of Carlos will give us a firm foundation ahead of what I am sure will be a memorable season ahead.